How Two Years of Complete Dependence on God Changed My Faith Forever

In June 2024, God called me to leave the workforce, move out of state, and relocate nearly one thousand miles away from my family and friends. I was confused, but deep down I knew it was God leading me to take a step of faith.

I had worked in Early Childhood Education on and off since I was nineteen years old. By 2024, I was mentally, emotionally, and physically burned out. I felt like my days as a preschool teacher and director were over, but God already knew what I needed before I did.

When my husband passed away in November 2018, life didn’t stop—and neither did I. I worked at a small childcare center, so there wasn’t an opportunity to take an extended leave to grieve. Instead, I had to learn how to process my grief while showing up every day to care for the children entrusted to me.

Those six years were some of the hardest years of my life. Looking back, I know it was only by the grace of God that I made it through.

Many of you know my story if you’ve followed my blog or read my book, Bent But Not Broken. For those of you who are new here, welcome.

I don’t think I truly realized how burned out I was until God showed me. He knew it was time for me to stop relying on what was familiar and learn to depend on Him completely.

During those six years, my family and friends became my support system. They loved me, encouraged me, and did everything they could to help me through one of the darkest seasons of my life. They became my comfort zone. Without realizing it, I had begun depending on them more than I depended on God.

God wasn’t removing them from my life—He was teaching me that He alone is my ultimate Source.

So, in June 2024, I walked away from my job and prepared to step into the unknown.

Little did I know that the unknown would become the place where I learned to trust God like never before.

For the next two years, I wasn’t permitted to work. God required me to trust Him completely to provide for me and my two daughters. From time to time, He used people to bless us, but ultimately, He was our Provider.

We didn’t always have everything we wanted, but we never lacked what we needed. God faithfully supplied every need.

Those two years taught me how to trust Him fully, and if I’m honest, that wasn’t easy.

For most of my marriage, my late husband was the primary provider. Although I worked, my income usually went toward household expenses and things for the girls. Becoming the sole provider after his passing was overwhelming, but through it all, God carried us.

While living in Delaware, I learned how to grieve without interruption. I learned how to trust God to take care of us. Most importantly, I learned that although I missed my family and friends deeply, I could still grow spiritually without having them nearby.

God taught me how to be still. He taught me how to heal. He taught me how to move forward.

Then God called me out of Delaware and back to the South—this time to Georgia.

When I arrived, I trusted Him. Even when I spent nearly seven months without working outside the home, I wasn’t anxious like I had been before. Instead, something began stirring inside of me.

The desire to teach little minds returned.

Soon I found myself saying, “It’s time to finish the last year and a half of my Bachelor’s Degree in Education.”

I truly believed God was saying, “Charlene, it’s time. You’re ready.”

So I stepped out in faith and began applying for jobs.

Then something happened that had never happened before.

I interviewed for a position…and I didn’t get it.

I was shocked because throughout my career I had always been hired on the spot. I remember asking God, “Did I hear You correctly?”

My oldest daughter said something I’ll never forget.

“Sometimes the old ways are no longer working because God has something new for you.”

She was right.

My second interview confirmed that God had spoken.

Today, after two years of depending completely on God, He has allowed me to put my preschool teacher shoes back on once again.

The difference is that I’m not the same woman who left teaching in 2024.

Now I know I can’t do anything without Him, but with Him, there are no limits.

This is my testimony.

For two years, God faithfully provided for me and my two daughters. He healed my heart, strengthened my faith, and reminded me that He is our Provider in every season.

Now, two years later, He has opened the door for me to do something I truly love and believe He has gifted me to do.

I pray this testimony encourages someone who is walking through a season of uncertainty.

God will provide.

Sometimes He allows us to walk through difficult seasons—not to harm us, but to teach us that when everything else is stripped away, He is more than enough.